Group finds high lead content in some toys

MattAndrejczak

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- A Michigan-based nonprofit group, which is lobbying for tougher state and federal regulations on harmful chemicals in children's toys, said Wednesday it found lead content exceeding U.S. government standards in a number of toys it tested.

The Ecology Center said 17% of the 1,200 toys it tested had levels of lead that outpaced the federal standard of 600 parts per million. Toys included Dollar Store animal figurines, Hannah Montana Pop Star card game packs and Circo baby shoes.

On the upside, the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based group said 28% of the toys tested didn't contain any lead, arsenic, mercury or PVC, including many made in China, such as Amazing Animals Hippo by Fischer-Price and B.R. Bruin Stacking Cups.

The Ecology Center, which helps run the Web site HealthyToys.org, said it tested the toys with a handheld X-ray device that detects surface chemicals.

Toy makers, such as Mattel Inc.
MAT, +3.34%
have endured a huge recall ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Since August, more than 21 million toys, sold under a variety of well-known brand names, have been taken off shelves and recalled from homes due to loose, small magnets that could be swallowed or laced with potentially dangerous products, such as lead and chemicals that can combine into potent drugs.

The Ecology Center said its aim is to inform consumers and push for tighter restrictions on chemicals used to make toys. It's developed a database showing levels of toxic content in toys. Testing results can be found at its Web site www.healthytoys.org. Visit the site.

A list of all toys recalled this year can be found at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site www.cspc.gov. Check out the site.

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